US indicts Malaysian national over Madagascar NFT scam compounds
Original title: US indicts Malaysian national after Madagascar scam operation uncovered
Prosecutors say Chui Kok Wa and five others stole more than $516,695 from 74 cryptocurrency wallets.
The Justice Department said it disrupted a Madagascar scam operation that used fictitious NFT investments after luring people through dating sites. Prosecutors indicted Malaysian national Chui Kok Wa and five others, alleging they stole more than $516,695 from 74 wallets tied to victims in several US states. An FBI team in August accessed more than 3,000 devices, but Madagascar repatriated many suspects to China before interviews finished. The DOJ took down scam sites and asked Madagascar to extradite the six defendants.
Unconfirmed: It is unclear whether the six defendants remain in Madagascar, and trafficking claims conflict with evidence of pay and contracts.
- Wa allegedly coordinated with accomplices in China after the scheme left Cambodia.
- Five co-defendants are from Cameroon, Rwanda, Kenya and Uganda.
- Madagascar police arrested 400 people, including 40 alleged Chinese leaders.
- Workers were paid $900 a month plus a percentage of funds taken.
- Chainalysis and Tether helped trace funds moved through Binance wallets.
Impact: More than $516,695 taken from 74 cryptocurrency wallets
- Countries
- United StatesMadagascarMalaysiaChina
From the original article
4 min read at therecord.mediaDOJ action against five foreign nationals — plus a sting in Madagascar — highlight the expanding global reach of the scam center industry.
therecord.media
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